New York, July 11 (BNA) Heavy rains caused flash floods in the northeastern United States on Monday, washing away roads, sweeping rivers, prompting 50 speedboat rescues and killing a woman who was swept away in front of her fiancé.
More than 13 million Americans were under flood watch and warnings from eastern New York state to Boston and western Maine to the Northeast, the National Weather Service said in its forecast Monday, after storms that began over the weekend swamped rivers and streams.
AccuWeather’s own forecaster estimated damage and economic losses at between $3 billion and $5 billion, initially, based on its valuation method.
More than 1,000 flights to and from airports across the region, including LaGuardia in New York and Logan in Boston, have been delayed or canceled due to the rain.
Amtrak suspended commuter train service between state capital Albany and New York City after flooding the affected rail, as did the Metro-North commuter rail that shares some of the same track.
New York and Vermont were the hardest hit states. More rain is expected overnight and into Tuesday, the service said, bringing more flood risks.
Vermont officials described the flooding as the worst since Hurricane Irene made landfall in the state as a tropical storm in 2011.
“This is an all-encompassing event,” Vermont Governor Phil Scott said at a news conference.
Parts of Vermont have already received between 7 and 8 inches (17 and 20 cm) of rain, turning streets into raging rivers.
About 50 isolated people were rescued by speedboat, Mark Bosma, a Vermont Emergency Management spokesperson, said on WCAX-TV.
Officials expected the rivers to flood overnight, posing risks to cities like Montpelier, the state capital.
“We really want people to be very vigilant and watch the weather and not wait too long to get to high places,” Bosma said.
About 12 campers in Andover were rescued by speedboat crews, town clerk Janet Height said.
“The bridge was swept away,” she said, “and that was the only way in or out.” “The call for help went out at 4 am, and they did a speedboat rescue. Everyone is safe this morning.”
In New York, more than 8 inches of rain fell Sunday through Monday in Stormville, a small town just over 50 miles (80 km) northeast of New York City.
The weather claimed the life of a woman who was swept away by floodwaters in Orange County, New York, when she tried to leave her home with her dog on Sunday, officials said.
“Her fiancé literally saw her,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said at a press conference in the town of Highland Falls.
Much of New York’s flood was along the Hudson River north of New York City including the Orange County town of West Point, home to the United States Army Military Academy.
Videos and photos posted on social media showed wet roads and raging flood waters reaching homes on Sunday and early Monday morning.
“Oh my God. It’s up to my knees,” Melissa Roberts said in a video showing floodwaters rushing past her and several cars and hitting homes in Orange County.
HF
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